75,453 KIDS SMARTER, STRONGER AND HEALTHIER IN 2015!
THE Y'S CRADLE TO COLLEGE FOCUS:
Learning is a lifelong continuum that starts at birth and never ends. At the Y, we’ve developed evidence-based programs and curriculums that support children’s learning at every stage of development.
From our Disney early learning centers and After School Zone Program to summer reading pilots and teen leadership activities, the Y partners with parents, teachers and our community to support kids’ out-of-school time learning, safety and success.
YMCA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES:
- Help pre-school children enter kindergarten ready to learn
- Boost grade-level reading for elementary and middle school students
- Keep every child on track, academically, from kindergarten to high school
- Encourage healthy habits to reduce childhood obesity
- Instill values to prevent bullying
- Help families reduce stress and grow stronger
HOW WE DO IT:
YMCA Early Childhood Development Centers
Creating a warm, welcoming learning-rich environment that nurtures the physical, emotional, and cognitive development of more than 600 children per day, birth to age 5, at our two Disney child development centers and the Lake Nona YMCA.
YMCA Elementary Out-of-School Time Program
Providing educationally focused reading and literacy activities, homework help, character development, and daily fitness activities for more than 36,000 children per year through YMCA after-school and summer programs offered at 39 area elementary schools.
YMCA After School Zone and Middle School Programs
Keeping more than 7,614 children per year safe, active, and learning during out-of-school time through hands-on learning activities in reading, math, and science. Enrichment activities include career and character development, music, art, robotics, rocketry, and more. Offered at 28 middle school locations in Orange, Osceola, Brevard and Lake counties.
YMCA Summer Camp
Preventing summer learning loss and weight gain for more than 25,400 youth through activities designed to keep kids’ minds ─ and bodies ─ active.
With a special emphasis on reading and enrichment, kids have a chance to explore new talents and interests, while parents work without worry.
YMCA Summer Reading Pilots
Helping at-risk youth close the achievement gap through research-based pilots proven to help students gain, on average, one year of reading in just five weeks.